Stealthy and Deadly

The Scout Snipers

U.S. Marine Corps Scout Snipers are highly trained Marines, professionals in sniping, reconnaissance, and marksmanship. Scout Snipers have a secondary Military Occupational Specialty code of MOS 0317 that can be earned by both Infantry and Reconnaissance Marines.  These men deliver long range precision fire at a designated target from concealed positions to give fire support to ground troops. The Scout Sniper Motto is "One Shot, One Kill".

Scout snipers have two main roles. One is to use precision weapons to deny the enemy freedom of movement and disrupt their operations by shooting key personnel such as commanders, radio operators, messengers, and other high ranking officials. They may also take out hard targets such as communications equipment, armored vehicles, and generators. The other role of the Scout Snipers is to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance operations for their assigned battalion.

Scout snipers are part of a Scout Sniper Platoon, which is an element of the headquarters and service company of their assigned battalion. Each SSP is made up of 8-10 2 man sniper teams. A Scout Sniper team consists of:

1. Scout Sniper Leader/ Spotter is equipped with a M40 rifle and he will also carry a high powered spotting scope.

2. Scout Sniper is armed with a high-caliber anti-material rifle.

There are 3 phases of training in the Scout Sniper School:

1. Marksmanship and Basic Fields Craft Phase
     During this phase Marines are trained in basic marksmanship on the Known Distance Range and also receive classes on basic skills such as camouflage, individual movement, weapons systems, observations, and field sketches.

2. Unknown Distance and Stalking
     The UKD (Unknown Distance) and Stalking portion starts as soon as Phase 1 is completed. During this phase students will become experts at engaging targets at unknown distances by way of range estimation and range cards.

3.  Advanced Field Skills and Mission Employment

 The USMC Scout Snipers are currently stationed in some of the most hostile environments in the world like in Iraq and Afghanistan.